[First Snow Cosplay] Arknights, the Materialization of Kjerag's First Snow

The first snow of Kjerag is standing right in front of me, so we must capture this biting winter chill into the lens. Today, I'm sharing the full process behind this snow scene cosplay set of Arknights First Snow, serving as a photoshoot log.

Regarding costume preparation, the sense of layering of this outfit in the snow is highly critical. The outermost layer is a black half-cape with blue piping and tassels on the edges, and the emblems on the shoulders enhance the overall solemnity and character compatibility. Paired with a silvery wig styled in double braids, along with a headpiece adorned with blue and gold accents across the forehead, plus the fluffy animal ears on the head, the full character recognition pops out instantly. The inner garment is a white top featuring a rather thick white fur collar, which blocks the wind and keeps warm while appearing very gentle. The core prop is a bronze bell with a blue ribbon, whose chiming sound when shaken in the snow feels exceptionally crisp alongside the freezing wind.

To fit Kjerag's snow-covered environment, the location was chosen in the mountain forests surrounding Chongqing, making it a perfect spot for a Chongqing photoshoot booking. Although we didn't actually go to Siberia, the ground that day was completely covered in a layer of frost, and the branches were laden with thick rime ice, which truly evoked the feeling of a fantastical landscape straight out of an anime, ideal for capturing stunning Anime-style photography.

The shooting process was actually quite a test, as the temperature was extremely low and my fingers froze stiff very quickly. Although my costume looks thick, the inner layers weren't actually very warm for the sake of ease of movement; plus, wearing grey-and-white color-blocked over-the-knee socks with chunky-heeled high boots on bare legs meant that this "freezing beauty" required real gritting of my teeth to endure. Especially standing in a pine forest filled with icy slopes, stabilizing my center of gravity was very difficult, and a slight lapse in attention would result in a slip. Executing a Snow scene cosplay is truly a test of endurance.

During the shoot, it was incredibly slippery underfoot, but fortunately, everyone's cooperation was highly synchronized. We weren't in a studio but out in a real setting, so we needed to capture a natural sense of interaction. For instance, in the final official photos released, everyone can see several of my movements standing beneath the trees: one standing by a fence holding the bell while slightly tilting my head up, and another sitting on the snow extending a hand to touch a low-hanging icy branch. Every time an action was triggered, the angles had to be adjusted to make the posture as extended and graceful as possible. Especially that shot where I am standing on a single raised leg; because the ground was slippery, I actually relied on the support of an assistant behind me to stabilize my center of gravity and stand firm.

In terms of post-production, we eschewed drastic, exaggerated color grading, focusing instead on maintaining that cold white, crisp snow scene light and shadow. We toned down the black garments a bit to highlight the white snowscape and hair, preserving the native, slightly greyish-blue cold tone of the snow field to keep the frame wrapped in a chilly yet soft atmosphere. This photo set counts as a very direct creative attempt of mine within an extremely cold environment.

Regarding photo selection, why did I choose these specific frames as official photos? For example, the close-up shot facing forward while holding the bell clearly exhibits the cleanliness of the makeup and the intricate costume details; paired with the chilly lighting, it captures that vibe of the character being seemingly delicate on the outside but resolutely firm within. The other wide shots utilize the pine forest for framing composition, immersing the character into this vast, white world, giving it a strong sense of narrative.

The air on the shooting day was exceptionally pure without any of the turbidity found in cities, which made the snow-laden branches yield a brilliantly translucent look. Sometimes, to wait for a gust of wind to billow the cape, we would stand by the exact same tree and shoot several times over. The final photo effects are very satisfying; in this sub-zero environment, despite being cold, seeing the frames pop up on the camera screen brought a highly real sense of accomplishment. Heartfelt thanks to my team members who traveled with me, helping me carry large bags and small packs on the steep mountain paths while giving me a wealth of posing advice. Experiencing Kjerag's climate in reality this time, with those optical flares reflected off the ice and frost, feels entirely worth it when looking back now.